The present state of the islands in the archipelago, or Arches, seas of Constantinople and gulph [sic] of Smyrna with the islands of Candia and Rhodes / faithfully describ'd by Ber. Randolph : to which is annexed an index shewing the longitude and latitude of all the places in the new map of Greece lately published by the same author.

The HELLESPONT, or entrance into the Sea of CONSTANTINOPLE.

THE Hellespont, called by the Turks Bogass Hisar, is the Southern-most strait between Europe and Asia; the two Capes or head lands are Cape Grego on the European, and Cape Janizary on the Asian shore, which are about two miles one from the other, having two new Castles, which stand low and opposite to each other, and were built after the great fight betwixt the Ve∣netians and Turks, in the year 1656, close under the old Castles, These two Castles have no other name then the New Castles, and the Cape has the same name; although it be corrupted by our Sea∣men, who call it Cape Janizary, taking the word Yenni bysar (new Castles) for Janizary (a Soldier) as also going into Smyrna they call Cape Giobernole for Cara Borun. From the new Castles to the old is about 20 miles. These latter are not a mile wide; formerly here were the Cities of

Sestos and Abidos, and these are by the Italians called the Dardanelli, I believe from the ruins of a City formerly called Dardanum, not far distant. The Castles stand opposite to each other, having above 100 Guns in each, most of which lye level with the water, so as it is almost impossible any ship should pass upward, without leave. The Gunners there are expert Marksmen; I have seen tryall made of their skill. In the year 1670 the Captain Basha was there, when an empty Butt was cast into the Sea about a mile above the Castles which the Stream brought down, and it being come between them, in two shott it was sunk. When the Basha departed he was saluted with two shott, one past just at the Prow, the other un∣der the Poop of his Gally, so near as the water spry'd into the Gally. Here is a continual tyde or current which runs downwards, to the South so strong as a Gally can hardly with a full stroak gain way against it, nor was it ever known that the Stream did run upwards. In the year 1665 I was a passenger in the Sampson (Captain Samuel Chamblet Commander) from Smyrna to Constan∣tinople, the winds being contrary we lay at anchor without the new Castles from May till the be∣ginning of August, for here in the Summer time the winds are most Northerly. Our chief Mate M^r Frith, was a very great Artist, and often would make tryalls about the current which runs down∣wards;

he found that some times the water re∣turned upward about 3 fathom deep, when at the same time it run swift downwards above. This experiment he tryed several times, with one and the same effect. Past the Hellespont the Island of Marmora shews it self, being but small; it has its name from the quantity of Marble which is there. Several Slaves are employ'd to cut it out, and some old Gallys transport it to Constan∣tinople for the building those stately Mosques, Bag∣nos, and Palaces wherein it now flourishes. A∣gainst the Gulph of Montania is the Island of Papa not inhabited. About 16 miles from Constanti∣nople are 7 Islands which some call the Islands of Princepe, tho' one only hath that name which is the largest; to it the Grecian Emperors did use to banish their Sons, if guilty of any great fault, now only one is inhabited, called Chalcis which is to the N^o. of Princepe, there being a small Village and two Monasterys in it. Being so near to Constantinople I must give the Reader a short view of it. The scituation for pleasantness, and conveniencie, and the Port for largness and se∣curity may sue for preeminence above all others. The River between Constantinople and Galata, is not broader then the Thames at London-bridge, but hath much deeper water, so that no bridg can be made over. The largest ships may have their heads ashore, and 18 fathom water at

their stern. The Arsenal next to that at Venice is the best in Europe. The broadest street in Constantinople is not so broad as Lumbard street. Very few houses (if any) are above three stories high, they are built most with timber. Their shops & warehouses are most by the water side, to which all people flock in the day time, which makes it seem to be so populous. The Grand Signor's Serraglio is seated on the most East point of the City having a prospect up into the Bosphorus, 'tis surrounded with a high wall near two miles round, having upwards of 400 large Cypress trees regularly planted in it, with many fair Summer∣houses without the wall close to the Sea side. The Turks call this City Stamboll, to signify, that it is abounding in all things; and indeed it is the best supplyed with Flesh, Fish, Fowl, Fruit and Corn of any great City in Europe. Many having given a large account of it already, I will forbear enlarging thereon. In the year 1665 a Quaker who lived in Dover, was perswaded to come to Constantinople to convert the Grand Signior; those who set him on the design, perswading him, that he should have the gift of Tongues: but he was disappointed in that, and all other his ex∣pectations, and without seeing the Grand Signor, or Vizier, by the Right Honorable the Earl of Winchelsea's order, was shipt aboard the ship Sun, and sent for Legorn. I have since seen

[illustration] view of Constantinople

The Prospect of the GRAND SERRAGLIO or Imperial Palace of CONSTANTINOPLE as it appears from Galata.

La Prospettiora del GRANSERRAGLIO vero Palazzo Imperial di CONSTANTINOPOLI come si vede da Galata.

An Arme of the Sea which devides the City of Constantinople from Galata

Braccio di mare che divide la Citta di Constantinopoli da Galata.

• A. The Entrance into y^e Serraglio from y^e City
• B. Lodgings for the Guards
• C. The great Hall for publick audience
• D. The Gran Signors Lodgings
• E. The Womens Lodgings
• F. Pleasure houses where the Gran Signore comes to see the Fleet go to and come from Sea
• G. Places for the Gran Signors Barges
• H. Part of Constantinople called Balat
• I. Entrance in to the Seraglio from Sea
• K. The Bosphorus or Channell which devides-Europe from Asia
• L. Part of the Asia Shoar
• M. S^ta Sophia where the Gran Signore goes to his-Devotion every fryday
• A. L'Entrata del Serragdio per la parte della Citta
• B. Allogiamenti delle Guardie
• C. La Gran Sala di Audienza
• D. Apartamenti del Gran Signore
• E. Apartamenti delle Donne
• F. Gallerie doue il Gran Signore si porta per∣redere ••scire et entrare L. Armata di Mare
• G. Ridutti per le Barche del Gran Signore
• H. Parte durn quartiero di Costantinopoli deto Balat
• I. Entrata del Serraglio per•• Mare
• K. H Bosphoro o vero il Canale che divide l'Europa da Asia
• L. Vista della Jerra ferma del Asia
• M. Moschea di S^ta Sophia, doue va il Gran Signore ogni Venerdi

B. Randolph

H Cuttance 〈◊〉〈◊〉 delin. D: Loggan Sculp.

him in Kent, he being now of another perswasion.